Ask Instructor David Barrett

Going through withdrawals. Getting the shakes.

Hi David,

I'm just trying to get this straight. So on Improvising Lesson 1 Section 6, our homework is to play along to an entire jam track like this:

1) AAA
2) AfAfAf
3) AAB
4) AfAfB
5) A B/A C
6) A B/A C

Is that correct?

-Taylor

When I (and others) listen to my improvisation stuff (jams and home recordings), it is quite 'marching band style'. Best description would be that I seem to lock in to the 1 and 3 beat. I try to get over to the 2 and 4 beat (up beats) but seem to lose it and fall back to the 1 and 3. I've programmed my metronome app to emphasize the 2 and 4 and try to play simple stuff to get the feel but....... continue reading...

Hi David,
In viewing a bunch of harp players on YouTube I noticed the absence of hand wa wa's. Is that a technique we lose when using a bullet. Is there a substitute such as tongue flutters?

Hi David,

On Sonny's Bird, when you are playing on the recording, are you using more pulls or just the ta ta ta (with regards to the cords that aren't notated as clear pulls)?

-Taylor

Dear Mr. Barrett, could the Silverface Vibrolux 73 be an interesting choice for harmonica? 

Dear David,

I have been enjoying lessons on your site. I plan to subscribe. But the other thing I noticed is that Howard Levy's school supplements the learning of the harp with a focus on some classical lessons. I was wondering if I could pursue both these learning styles simultaneously. Would it cause some confusions? Or would you suggest that I stick to the blues method which is what I particularily like? Maybe consider Levy later. Because his Beethoven and Bach lessons are also something I am eager to learn.
Please advise.
Sridhar

Hi Dave

In the video with Joe.T. when showing the speed Lick. Not sure what to use. Do u slide back n forth on the 6+ 6 7
7+ or Tongue block with " Hull " each note. you said slide in the video if I remember right. T.B. is not as efficient ?

Thanks Harplayer

Dear Mr. Barrett, what are the specifications of your princeton reverb. how do you have it set up. tubewise and what kind of speaker has it? 

David, thanks for your recent tips of the day about the 2 draw. I thought that I was committing a great sin by not using the 2 draw much. For the last couple of months I have been doing a lot of resolutions on the 6 blow, all the time wondering if my ear was lying to me or if did work great. Maybe I have a better ear than I thought. I think that a lot of us get so caught up in worrying about perhaps breaking some mysterious "rules of do and don't' that we are reluctant to let the music happen for fear of making a mistake. continue reading...